Job Discussion Forums

taren · Joined: 07 Jun 2006 Posts: 1

I'm interested in finding an independent perspective on working as a newly qualified EFL teacher at Language Link Zelenograd.

How do you rate it as a school to work at? What's the town like? (perhaps relative to others around Moscow and elsewhere?) They also say that accomodation is included in the package, but i'm wondering if any one could comment on the standard of it? Is it generally single or shared? What are the travel times to the place of work like?

Cheers for your input!

maruss · Joined: 18 Mar 2003 Posts: 1145 Location: Cyprus

My advice,avoid both, especially that firm!Zelenograd is a satellite town north west of Moscow, quite green as the name suggests, but otherwise boring, especially in winter and I wouldn't bet on the appartment being yours only or very nice!Ive been there twice and was glad I was only visiting!

canucktechie · Joined: 07 Feb 2003 Posts: 343 Location: Moscow

Zelenograd was build as a satellite town for the Soviet tech industry (such as it was) and the accommodation is quite good by Moscow standards. I would think school-provided accommodation in Moscow would be no better and probably worse.

Also if you work in Zeleno your travel time will almost certainly be much less than in Moscow.

I've been to Zeleno and agree it is boring, but it's certainly no worse than outer Moscow and I can tell you for sure no school provides accommodation in inner Moscow.

Can't comment on LL itself - why not ask them the specific questions.

maruss · Joined: 18 Mar 2003 Posts: 1145 Location: Cyprus

The school there has broken away from B.K.C. and is advertising for 2 teachers.This is in a small army town north-west of Moscow, from where there is a bus service regularly to metro Voikovskaya which takes about 50 minutes, depending on the traffic on Leningradskiy Shosse around Khimki(this seems to be getting worse by the day!).The town itself is not wildly interesting but the countryside around it is very pleasant with a lake etc.Even better, they are prepared to pay around at least $900 per month starting salary, plus free accom. etc.Of course you should check all the details out carefully with them BEFORE ACCEPTING ANYTHING AND GOING THERE!!Costs there are definitely cheaper than in the city and the environment and ecology far more healthy,plus the fact that you won't have to travel to and from work on the metro and buses with the millions!
Rather than risk L.L. I would choose this option anyday,especially if you are prepared to work outside Moscow and were considering Zelenograd which is only a bit nearer to the city anyway!!